Cable tensioner

ABSTRACT

A tensioner for cables including an open-sided speed connector, a split body rotatably engaging the speed connector at one end and a threaded connector at its other end. The body has gear teeth driven by a hand wheel carried at right angles to the line of tension through the body.

United States Patent Di Martino [4 Feb. 4, 1975 1 CABLE TENSIONER 1,494,110 5/1924 Kearney 254/67 Inventor: John M. Di Martino, y N'Y l,625,8l8 4/!927 McArthur 287/60 [73] Assignee: Line Fast Corporation, Farmingdale. primary Examiner A| Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson [22] Filed: Apr. 14, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 243,953 ABSTRACT 52 u.s. c1 254/67, 254/101, 254/103 A tension for cables including an Open-sided speed 511 1111. c1 B66f 3/02 connector, 3 split body wwmbly g g the speed 53 Field f Search 254 7 0 0 connector at one end and a threaded connector at its 237 59 2; 74 2 3 53 5 5 other end The body has gear teeth driven by a hand wheel carried at right angles to the line of tension [56] References Cited thl'ollgh the y- UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,378,702 5/1921 McDonald 254/67 YATENTLUFEB 4 ISTS SHEH 1D? 2 CABLE TENSIONER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tensioning apparatus and is concerned more particularly with adjustable length tensioners which are quick-connecting and quick-adjusting, as well as securely lockable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior tensioning devices have included the classic turmbuckle with hooks, clevises or eyes. Also, attempts have been made in the area of quick-connectors, adjusting mechanisms and locks for the adjustors.

However, none of the previously known tensioners have been found entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general the preferred form of the invention comprises a tensioner for cables including a body threadably engaging a first connector for longitudinal adjustment therewith, and having the opposite end of the body engaging a second connector by means ofa rotary joint.

Preferably, the body is divided on a plane intersecting its longitudinal axis and carries clamping means at one end for selectively permitting and precluding rotation of the body with respect to the threaded joint of the first connector.

It is preferable that the body carry a series of external gear teeth adjacent the second connector. The second connector carries a mounting post extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body, the mounting post being adapted to carry a toothed gear in meshed relationship with the teeth of the body.

Preferably, the second connector, that one having the mounting post, comprises a hook member having two longitudinal, adjoining walls generally at right angles to each other, a transverse end wall joining the longitudinal walls and having a free edge transversely re mote from the longitudinal walls.

The end wall has a U-shaped channel therein extending inwardly from the free edge toward the longitudinal axis of the tensioner. The channel is sized in sufficient width and depth to receive a cable therein substantially in alignment with the longitudinal (tension) axis of the tensioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention may be derived from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of the preferred form of tensioner;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tensioner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the left end of the tensioner of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the adjusting lock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the tensioner comprises a body having internal threads 11 engaging a first connector 12 via a threaded shank 13. Although shown as a clevis, the connector 12 may take any form, At its opposite end, the body 10 has an internal socket 14 engaging a second connector 15 via a shank and ball 16.

The ball 16 and socket 14 form a relatively freely rotating bearing between the body 10 and the second connector 15.

The body 10 is split longitudinally into two generally symmetrical halves 17 and 18 each having cooperating socket half-portions and threaded half-portions at their opposite ends which form, when assembled. the socket l4 and threaded portion 11, respectively.

Adjacent the threaded portion 11, the body is provided with a lock 19 for securing a selected position of the body 10 with respect to the connector 12.

The lock 19 includes a nut and bolt 20 securing the halves 17 and 18 on one side of the threaded shank I3 and a lock lever 21 on the opposite side of the shank 13.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the body half 17 includes a multi-planar surface 22 surrounding the bore 23 in which the locking lever operates. The surface includes diametrically opposite pairs of low flats 24. 25 and of high flats 26, 27. Camming surfaces 28. 29 extend between the low/high pairs 24/26 and 25/27. respectively.

The pin 21 turns relatively freely in the bores 23, 23' of the halves 17, I8 and carries a tie means such as the crosspin 30 which bears against the outer surface of the half 18. It is preferred to include relieved portions or cuts 31, 31 on the mating surfaces of the halves 17, 18 to permit flexing motion of the lock ends 19, I9 independently of the main body portions.

The preferred means for rotation of the body assembly with respect to the connector 12 includes a plurality of gear teeth 3!, 31' about the ends of the halves I7 and 18. The connector 15 has a post 32 extended at right angles to the longitudinal (tension) axis T of the unit. The post 32 is adapted to carry a hand gear 33 for rotation thereon with its teeth 34 in mesh with the teeth 31, 31' of the body so that rotation of the hand gear 33 will cause rotation of the body with respect to the connectors I5 and 12, within the limits of manual torque and without tension or twist of either member.

If desired, gear teeth may be provided on the flange 38, with the post and hand gear being mounted on the body.

The hand wheel may be loosely applied to the post 32, or it may be held thereon by a retaining nut 33a, as shown.

Rotation between the body 10 and the connector 15 is accomplished in a rotary joint 35 including a narrowed portion 36 of the connector 15 adjacent the ball 16 which receives shoulders 37, 37' on the body halves I7, 18 respectively. The connector 15 carries a flange 38 which limits motion of the connector and body towards each other, while the socket l4 and the shoulders engage the ball 16 to limit motion away from each other. The halves l7 and 18 are held in assembled relationship at the rotary joint 35 by nut and bolt assemblies 39 and 40.

If desired for any reason such as extreme tensioning, the body 10 also may be provided with diametrically opposite ports 41, 41' for receiving a conventional turning bar (not shown).

The preferred form of cable connector 15 comprises a casting including a shank 42 formed in part by the ball 16, recessed portion 36 and the flange 38. The shank 42 extends outwardly from the flange 38 as two webs or longitudinal walls 43 and 44 which diverge outwardly from the tension axis T of the unit and which meet or are joined to each other substantially at right angles. The walls 43 and 44 terminate in a heavy end wall 45 having a load face 46 at a moderate angle to the tension axis T and substantially at right angles to the inner surfaces 47 and 48, respectively, of the walls 43 and 44.

The end wall 45 has a free edge 49, transversely remote from the long walls 43 and 44. Onto the free edge 49 of the end wall a U-channel 50 is formed which extends therefrom to and about the longitudinal or ten sion axis T. The U-channel 50 extends also from the load face 46 longitudinally to the outer face 51 of the end wall, and both curves and diverges to permit a cable C to align itself on the tension axis T without sharp edge interference by any portion of the end wall The load surface 46 is relieved or tapered away at 52 and 53 on the free ends or legs 54 and 55 formed on opposite sides of the channel 50. Thus, the tension load of the cable C is applied via the cable ferrule F which is attached to the cable to the strongest, inner portion of the load face 46 close to the long walls 43 and 44.

The legs 54 and 55 are transversely bored to provide a lock channel 56 which carries a lock pin 57 outboard of the bottom of the U-channel 50. A rectangular bore or keyway 58 adjacent the lock channel 56 permits a key 59 to pass in one position only, so that the pin 57 may be retracked for entrance and removal of the cable. Normally, gravity holds the lever 60 of the pin 57 in a position in which the key 59 is out of registry with the keyway 58, so that the cable is trapped in its desired position.

It is apparent that the cable connector of this invention provides for maximum ease of cable insertion and removal. especially since the structure of the shank 42 is offset, so that there is no problem of working the cable ferrule in between transversely opposite tension members.

I claim:

1. A tensioner comprising a body, a first connector at a first end of said body, thread means for longitudinal adjustment of the body and first connector with re spect to each other, a second connector at a second end of said body, rotary joint means for permitting free rotation of said second connector and said body with respect to each other, said body being divided into two longitudinal components each longitudinal component including a portion of each of said thread means and said rotary joint means, and lock means for securing said longitudinal components in cooperating relationship.

2. The tensioner of claim 1, in which the longitudinal components are generally symmetrical halves.

3. The tensioner of claim 1, in which the lock means includes a clamping mechanism connected to said thread means.

4. The tensioner of claim 3, in which the clamping mechanism includes a camming lever, and one of said longitudinal components carries a lock surface, a release surface, and a cam surface between the lock surface and the release surface.

5. The tensioner of claim 3, in which the longitudinal components include flexing areas adjacent said thread means.

6. The tensioner of claim I, in which the rotary joint means includes a solid ball on said second connector, and a cooperating socket portion on each of said longitudinal components of said body.

* il 4 t i 

1. A tensioner comprising a body, a first connector at a first end of said body, thread means for longitudinal adjustment of the body and first connector with respect to each other, a second connector at a second end of said body, rotary joint means for permitting free rotation of said second connector and said body with respect to each other, said body being divided into two longitudinal components each longitudinal component including a portion of each of said thread means and said rotary joint means, and lock means for securing said longitudinal components in cooperating relationship.
 2. The tensioner of claim 1, in which the longitudinal components are generally symmetrical halves.
 3. The tensioner of claim 1, in which the lock means includes a clamping mechanism connected to said thread means.
 4. The tensioner of claim 3, in which the clamping mechanism includes a camming lever, and one of said longitudinal components carries a lock surface, a release surface, and a cam surface between the lock surface and the release surface.
 5. The tensioner of claim 3, in which the longitudinal components include flexing areas adjacent said thread means.
 6. The tensioner of claim 1, in which the rotary joint means includes a solid ball on said second connector, and a cooperating socket portion on each of said longitudinal components of said body. 